Date released: April 14, 2022
14th April 2022: The EPA is inviting proposals from the research community to help address climate change and other emerging, complex environmental problems. €11.7 million is available for new research projects.
Laura Burke, EPA Director General said:
“EPA-funded research is essential to improving national understanding of our environment, the challenges it faces and responses to these challenges. The EPA funds research that seeks to address knowledge gaps, provide robust evidence to inform policy and support the implementation of environmental policies in Ireland. This supports an evidence led approach to policy-making based on excellent science and information.”
Highlighting the importance of a clean, healthy and well-protected environment for health, wellbeing and quality of life, the EPA is calling for proposals across four interconnected research areas. Topics include the following overarching and interrelated themes:
The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. This Research Call is designed to support the development and implementation of environmental policies in Ireland.
Dr Alice Wemaere, EPA Research Manager, said,
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with a number of organisations, including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; the Geological Survey Ireland and Met Éireann, to co-fund environmental research and address key environmental challenges. We are also pleased to announce two Open topics covering the potential for use of satellite data in environmental monitoring and assessment and the role of the environment in development and transmission of antimicrobial resistance”
As part of its wide range of functions, the EPA manages an environmental research programme that delivers essential scientific support for environmental policy development, implementation and broader decision making. The EPA has been funding research in Ireland since 1994 and is currently funding more than 200 on-going research projects. Further details about the 2022 EPA Research Call are available on the EPA website.
Notes to Editor
Supporting environmental policies: The Research Call is designed to support the implementation of environmental policies in Ireland including: the Climate Action Plan; National Climate Adaption Framework; Circular Economy Action Plans and Strategies; the Biodiversity National Action Plan; the National Peatlands Strategy; the National Radon Strategy; National Land Use Evidence Review; UN Sustainable Development Goals’ Implementation Plan; the National Boglands Restoration and Rehabilitation scheme; as well as policies in the water and air protection areas. This year’s call includes two Open topics covering the potential for use of satellite (Copernicus) data in environmental monitoring and assessment, and the role of the environment in development and transmission of antimicrobial resistance.
In 2021 the EPA published the results of 41 research projects.
Research applications: EPA Research Calls are open to all types of organisations within Ireland. To apply for EPA funding, you must be registered on the EPA’s online Grant Application and Project Management system. Research Proposals must be submitted in response to one of the topics included in the Call Descriptions.
Further details about the EPA Research Programme are on the EPA website.
The call timeframe is outlined below:
Queries relating to the call: research@epa.ie
Further funding: Other EPA funding opportunities this year include the DOROTHY Research Fellowship Programme (currently open, and closing on 23rd May 2022), Fulbright-EPA Scholarships and Fellowships; as well as scholarships, as part of the Irish Research Council-EPA Postgraduate Scheme. More details available at EPA Research Funding | Environmental Protection Agency.
